When one thinks of self-maintenance and a healthy lifestyle, they ironically overlook the importance of eye care. The sense of sight is one of the most important senses that not only helps you to literally see things but also transmits this information to the brain to process the world around you. So, if you truly want to live a healthy lifestyle, you should always include good eye care practices in your routine.
Reasons Why Eye Care is Important
1. The sense of sight essential for (most) work
A lot of jobs will require your sense of sight in one way or another. It can mean using a mobile phone to communicate with customers or using your computer at a desk job. It’s easy to take the importance of sight for granted when you’ve relied on it for decades to work for you. However, if you haven’t started yet, you should apply eye care practices at work.
How to take care of your eyes at work: In this digital age, most work involves looking at a screen such as a laptop or computer. To prevent eye strain due to screen time, make sure that the computer screen is around 2 feet away from your face and try reducing the glare by using a screen filter.
2. You can see and appreciate the world around you
Travel is a great way not just to unwind but to also learn about and appreciate other cultures. It’s also a great way to create great memories with your loved ones or even by yourself when traveling solo. So if you’re lucky enough to be able to go out and travel around your country or even across the globe, you’ll have your eyes to thank when you enjoy the scenery.
Protect your eyes during your adventures: It’s an age-old warning but still important to remember: don’t look directly at the sun! When traveling, make sure you’re protecting yourself and your eyes by wearing sunglasses that block UVA and UVB radiation from the sun. Additionally, wearing a hat or a cap on extra sunny days can also help protect not just your eyes but also your skin.
3. It helps you learn through observation and in class
Learning doesn’t stop once you’ve left school. A lot of people learn new skills well after they’ve graduated, mainly because the world is ever-changing, from high-speed internet getting more accessible to new apps and processes being developed across the world. And being able to see and observe these changes is key to learning both inside and outside the four walls of the classroom.
Nowadays, most learning is done online, either on a computer or a mobile device. Your eyes will thank you if you practice good eye care since staring at a screen for too long can lead to eye strain, headaches, dry eyes, and more.
Take care of your eyes so you can learn better: To keep your eyes healthy, try the oft-mentioned 20-20-20 rule, where every 20 minutes you look at something 20 feet away for at least 20 seconds. Additionally, if you’re always wearing contact lenses, try taking a break and wearing glasses instead. Doing so can help prevent possible irritation or infection.
4. It makes daily routines easier.
Imagine driving with blurry vision or walking around town without being able to see the signs. Doing daily routines is not impossible with low vision or blurry eyes, but it’s also not that easy, especially when you’re so used to seeing everything clearly.
Eye care practices you should include in your daily routine: A clearly underrated way to take care of your eyes – and your body in general – is to get enough sleep. Sleeping gives your eyes time to rest and regenerate, minimizing the chances of you getting dry eye syndrome or eye spasms. Another easy way to take care of your eyes is to incorporate foods that promote eye health into your daily diet. Foods rich in Omega-3 fatty acids as well as vitamins A, B, and C are easy to find and add to your go-to recipes.
5. You can detect or prevent more problematic eye diseases
Getting routine eye exams is essential in making sure that your eyes are in the best state so you can perform well at work and enjoy life. Regular eye screening can help you find the right corrective solutions in case you’re having issues with your vision and address eye conditions like cataracts or age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Being proactive about consulting with specialists will help you prevent blindness and vision loss.
How to get professional help for your eyes: Make sure that you schedule an eye screening once every two years. However, if you’re feeling discomfort or having issues with your vision, it’s best to consult with a doctor immediately. If you have a medical insurance provider, consult with them regarding accredited ophthalmologists. You can also find a doctor who can do comprehensive eye screenings through referrals or a quick internet search.
There are many ways that your day-to-day life can affect your eye health without you noticing, especially when these routine tasks are so ingrained in your schedule. But your eye health may take a hit when these small things add up, which is why it’s important to keep in mind the simple eye care tips we’ve laid out for you. Remember: the fast-paced, digital age we live in may seem like a blur, but you can see through it better with healthier eyes.